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Angels in talks with reliever Seanez

Angels in talks with reliever Seanez

By Lyle Spencer
/
MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- The Angels have been in contact with Rudy Seanez, manager Mike Scioscia said on Thursday. It would take the 40-year-old right-handed reliever at least several weeks to be in game shape if he is signed, Scioscia said.

"Rudy's arm looks great," Scioscia said. "It's just a matter of getting in shape. He would need a little work. He's been throwing off a mound. There's still another step you'd have to take, throwing bullpens, making sure the arm is OK."

General manager Tony Reagins is in discussions with Seanez, Scioscia said, but he was unaware of a deal having already been struck. Efforts to reach Reagins have been unsuccessful.

Seanez, 40, pitched effectively last season for the World Series champion Phillies. He was 5-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 42 games. A native of Brawley, Calif., Seanez has pitched for 11 Major League organizations in 17 seasons.

If he makes it to the Angels' bullpen, he would complete a tour of all three of Southern California's Major League clubs. He began his career throwing in the high-90s on radar guns for the Indians in 1994, moved to the Dodgers and enjoyed success with the Padres as a setup man for Trevor Hoffman in 2005 and 2006.

Seanez is 41-30 with a 4.10 career ERA. He has registered 574 strikeouts in 566 career innings, keeping his ratio up even after losing his premium heat by effectively incorporating offspeed stuff into his repertoire.

"We're talking about having him go down to Arizona and get into a mini-Spring Training, throw some innings down there," Scioscia said. "It gives us a chance to evaluate him. He'd need time to get in shape, see how he folds in.

"It's a different set of circumstances for a reliever [than a starter]. He's going to need 30 pitches, 40 tops as a reliever."

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.